The Music & the Spoken Word broadcast airs live via TV, radio, and internet stream on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. mountain time. For information on other airtimes, visit “Airing Schedules” at musicandthespokenword.org.

Music

Conductors: Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy
Organist: Brian Mathias
Announcer: Lloyd Newell

“On This Day of Joy and Gladness”
Music and Lyrics: Leroy J. Robertson
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“Look at the World”
Music and Lyrics: John Rutter

Finale, from Symphony no. 6 (organ solo)
Music: Charles-Marie Widor

“Softly and Tenderly”
Music and Lyrics: Will L. Thompson
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“Each Life That Touches Ours for Good”
Music: A. Laurence Lyon
Lyrics: Karen Lynn Davidson

“Love One Another”¹
Music and Lyrics: Luacine Clark Fox
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“Standing on the Promises”²
Music and Lyrics: Russell K. Carter
Arrangement: Ryan Murphy

1. From the album Teach Me to Walk in the Light.
2. From the album Let Us All Press On.

The Spoken Word

Moments and Memories of Kindness

Over the past year, a loving niece has regularly called her widowed, 94-year-old Aunt Helen. They smile, laugh, even shed a few tears together as Aunt Helen recounts her life while her niece records the conversation for posterity. Over the course of these visits, the niece has been struck by how clearly Aunt Helen remembers people and experiences from so many years ago. In particular, she seems to remember best those who were kind to her. Of course, she also remembers some hard times, but in recalling her life, she talks most vividly about moments of joy and acts of kindness.

You can learn a lot from a woman in her 95th year. If memories like Aunt Helen’s persist so strongly, then perhaps our small and simple interactions are more powerful than we realize. It’s as if our every good and selfless deed is like a seed that will eventually bear the fruit of sweet memories for generations to come.

We should never underestimate the power of kindness. Speaking of such acts of service, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these …, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

Aunt Helen understands this. Inspired, no doubt, by the kind people in her life, Aunt Helen bakes a cake each week and then prays about who she could give it to. She has a long list of people and their birthdays so she can send them birthday cards with a special note; she is especially careful to include those who might otherwise be forgotten. And over the years, she has quilted countless blankets for others. All these simple acts of service give her something and someone to think about. She explains, “They help me not to worry about my own problems so much.”

Not surprisingly, Aunt Helen’s sensitivity to kindness is closely tied to her faith in God. She speaks often of her belief that He is watching over her. Even though she lives alone, she doesn’t feel alone. She says that she feels God’s kind and loving presence in her life, especially in the moments and memories of kindness. And usually, that sweet, heavenly feeling reminds her again that it’s time to bake a cake for someone!